First local extinction due to sea level rise identified in the US
The Key Largo tree cactus, Pilosocereus millspaughii, has gone extinct in the US due to sea level rise, storms, and herbivory. Efforts are made to conserve related species facing similar threats.
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The United States has experienced its first local extinction due to sea level rise, with the Key Largo tree cactus disappearing from its only known stand in the country. The cactus, Pilosocereus millspaughii, was first discovered in the Florida Keys in 1992 but succumbed to rising sea levels, intense storms, and herbivory. Researchers salvaged the remaining fragments for off-site cultivation to ensure their survival. The decline of this cactus serves as a warning for other coastal plants facing climate change impacts. Efforts are underway to conserve related cacti species, like the federally endangered Key tree cactus, through reintroduction programs. The loss of the Key Largo tree cactus highlights the challenges faced by species in a rapidly changing environment, with biodiversity loss already a significant issue in South Florida. The study sheds light on the complex interactions between climate change and species survival, emphasizing the urgent need for conservation efforts to mitigate further extinctions.
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